Travellers ignore police notice as firefighters called for third time

A group of travellers arrived in Northwich earlier this week, setting up an unauthorised encampment on land off Leicester Street.

They were issued a section 77 notice by Cheshire Police, ordering them to vacate the area by 5pm on Tuesday (June 18).

With no signs of the group leaving as of 2pm on Wednesday, Cheshire West and Chester Council are now seeking further action.

A spokesperson said: “The group were served a section 77 notice on Monday requiring them to vacate the land by 5pm on Tuesday.

"The group have not adhered to the notice and remain in situ.

“We are now seeking to obtain a court order through our legal department.”

A Cheshire Police spokesperson added: “As the group failed to adhere with the section 77 notice, the owner of the land has now begun court proceedings.

“Officers will continue to pay passing attention to the site on a regular basis.”

The group arrived in the early hours of Monday morning (Image: Supplied)

The group, consisting of two caravans and four other vehicles, was first reported to police at 1.41am on Monday (June 17).

Since arriving, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service crews have been called to the site on three occasions.

Firefighters first attended shortly after 6.30pm on Monday, finding a ‘large bonfire measuring some four square metres’, which they extinguished.

They were then called out again less than four hours later, with the bonfire having been relit and now ‘out of control’.

CFRS were called to Leicester Street for a third time at 1pm on Wednesday (June 19).

Upon arrival, the crew found a controlled burn which had almost gone out.

“Group has been given fire safety advice and have confirmed they are not adding any more combustible materials”, a CFRS spokesperson said.

“Water has been left on standby.”